Slot machine having feature in which sequence of rearranging symbols on respective defined areas becomes random, and control method of the slot machine

ABSTRACT

A slot machine scrolls symbols on a plurality of defined areas provided on a display at a time of executing a slot game, and thereafter stops the symbols on the respective defined areas. A lottery of the symbols is performed not for each of the respective defined areas but for each of the defined areas divided into a plurality of groups. Moreover, a sequence of rearranging the symbols on the defined areas is changeable, and can be made random for each unit game.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 61/042,099 entitled “SLOT MACHINE HAVING VARIETY OFAWARDS WITH POINT-ALLOCATED SYMBOLS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF” filed onApr. 3, 2008 and naming Yukinori INAMURA as inventor, and which isincorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a slot machine that plays a game byusing a medal or the like, and to a control method of the slot machine.

2. Description of Related Art

As related slot machines, for example, those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,960,133 B1 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,983 are known. In such a slotmachine, when a player inserts a monetary value such as a medal, a coinor a bill into an insertion slot of the slot machine and operates a spinswitch, for example, totally 15 symbols with a matrix of three rows andfive columns are scrolled on defined areas of a display provided on afront surface of a cabinet, and thereafter, the respective symbolsautomatically stop. Then, in the case where a predetermined number ofscatter symbols are displayed when the respective 15 symbols stop, anaward is generated.

In such a slot machine, the award is only decided depending on thenumber of appeared scatter symbols, and a slot machine provided with anew entertainment factor is desired to appear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention is a slot machine comprising: adisplay that displays a unit game in which symbols arranged on aplurality of defined areas are rearranged; and a controller thatexecutes: (A) processing for deciding all the symbols to be rearrangedindividually on the defined areas by symbol decision processing of whichnumber of times is smaller than a number of the defined areas; (B)processing for deciding a sequence of rearranging the symbols on theindividual defined areas; and (C) processing for rearranging the symbolson the individual defined areas in accordance with the sequence ofrearranging the symbols.

Another aspect of the present invention is a slot machine, comprising: adisplay that displays a unit game in which symbols arranged on aplurality of defined areas are rearranged; a memory that stores sequencepatterns for a sequence of rearranging the symbols on the defined areas;and a controller that executes: (A) processing for deciding all thesymbols to be rearranged individually on the defined areas by symboldecision processing of which number of times is smaller than a number ofthe defined areas; (B) processing for deciding a sequence of rearrangingthe symbols on the individual defined areas by selecting one from thesequence patterns; and (C) processing for rearranging the symbols on theindividual defined areas in accordance with the sequence pattern.

Another aspect of the present invention is a control method of a slotmachine, comprising: (A) deciding all symbols to be rearrangedindividually on defined areas by symbol decision processing of whichnumber of times is smaller than a number of the defined areas; (B)deciding a sequence of rearranging the symbols on the individual definedareas; and (C) rearranging the symbols on the individual defined areasin accordance with the sequence of rearranging the symbols.

Another aspect of the present invention is a control method of a slotmachine, comprising: (A) deciding all symbols to be rearrangedindividually on defined areas by symbol decision processing of whichnumber of times is smaller than a number of the defined areas; (B)deciding a sequence of rearranging the symbols on the individual definedareas by selecting one from sequence patterns for the sequence ofrearranging the symbols on the defined areas, the sequence patternsbeing stored in a memory; and (C) rearranging the symbols on theindividual defined areas in accordance with the sequence pattern.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view showing an example of symbols displayed on a display ofa slot machine according to a first embodiment of the present inventionin accordance with a sequence.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the sequence of the symbols to be rearranged onthe display of the slot machine according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of the symbols rearranged on thedisplay of the slot machine according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of an award setting table for use inthe slot machine according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is an entire configuration view of the slot machine according tothe first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the slotmachine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view showing defined areas set on the display of the slotmachine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of a symbol group rearranged on thedisplay of the slot machine according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of the symbol group rearranged onthe display of the slot machine according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing slot game execution processing of theslot machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing image effect control processing of theslot machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing payout processing of the slot machineaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an entire configuration view of a slot machine according to asecond embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the slotmachine according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15A is a perspective view showing a rotation reel device of theslot machine according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 15B is a side view showing the rotation reel device of the slotmachine according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT First Embodiment

FIGS. 1 and 2 are explanatory views showing an example of a sequence ofrearranging symbols on a display of a slot machine according to a firstembodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is an explanatory viewshowing an example of the symbols rearranged on the display of the slotmachine according to the first embodiment, FIG. 4 is an explanatory viewshowing an example of an award setting table of the slot machineaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is anexterior appearance view of the slot machine according to the firstembodiment, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electricconfiguration of the slot machine according to the first embodiment.When a slot game is executed, totally 15 symbols with a matrix of threerows and five columns, which are displayed on defined areas q1 a to q3 eof the display 16 shown in FIG. 5, start to scroll, and after elapse ofa predetermined time, the symbols stop sequentially (the arrangedsymbols are rearranged) as shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with a sequenceshown in FIG. 2. As a result, the 15 symbols are rearranged as shown inFIG. 3.

Then, in the slot machine according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention, in the case where a predetermined number of the samesymbols are rearranged, an award that is based on the number of the samesymbols is generated. Specifically, the award setting table shown inFIG. 4 is stored in a RAM 110 of FIG. 6, and the award to be given to aplayer is decided with reference to this award setting table.

In the slot machine according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention, the sequence of rearranging the symbols on the respectivedefined areas q1 a to q3 e becomes random for each game. Accordingly, aneffect as if the 15 defined areas q1 a to q3 e were sorted individuallyand the symbols were decided randomly can be made, and an appeal thatthe game is free from an intentional action can be made to the player.

Next, a description will be made in detail of a configuration of theslot machine 10 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5,the slot machine 10 according to the first embodiment includes a cabinet11, a top box 12 provided on an upper side of the cabinet 11 concerned,and a main door 13. On the cabinet 11, on a surface thereof facing tothe player, the display 16 is provided. Moreover, in the cabinet 11,there are provided a variety of constituent members including acontroller 40 (refer to FIG. 6) for electrically controlling this slotmachine 10, a hopper 44 (refer to FIG. 6) for controlling insertion,storage and payout of medals, and the like.

Moreover, though the medals are mentioned as an example of game mediafor use in the case of executing a unit game, the game media are notlimited to the medals, and for example, coins, tokens, electronic money,or electronic valuable information (credits) equivalent to these can bementioned.

The main door 13 is attached to the cabinet 11 so as to beopenable/closable, and the display 16 is provided on a substantialcenter of the main door 13. As will be described later, the display 16displays images regarding a variety of the unit games including the slotgame. In the slot game, the symbols arranged on the totally 15 definedareas q1 a to q3 e provided in such a matrix shape of three rows andfive columns as shown in FIG. 5 are scrolled, and are thereafter stopped(the arranged symbols are rearranged). Then, as will be described later,in the case where a predetermined number (for example, four or more) ofeach type of the symbols stopped on the respective defined areas q1 a toq3 e are rearranged, the award that is based on the number of the samesymbols is generated.

Here, as shown in FIG. 7, suffixes “a” to “e” assigned to the definedareas q denote the columns, and suffixes “1” to “3” assigned theretodenote the rows. Note that, though the defined areas in the case ofexecuting the slot game are set to have the three columns and the fiverows in the first embodiment, the present invention is not limited tothis.

Moreover, on a lower left area of the display 16 shown in FIG. 5, anumber-of-payouts defined area 48 for displaying the number of payoutsis provided.

Below the display 16, there are provided: a medal insertion slot 21 forinserting therethrough the medals for use in the case of playing thegame; and a bill identifier 22 for identifying whether or not a bill isa real one and receiving the real bill. Moreover, a variety of operationswitches are provided in the vicinities of the medal insertion slot 21and the bill identifier 22.

As the operation switches, there are provided: a CASHOUT switch 23; aMAXBET switch 24; a BET switch 25; a SPIN/REPEAT/BET switch 26; and aSTART switch 27.

The BET switch 25 is a switch for deciding the number of credits to bebet on the slot game executed on the display 16, and every time when theBET switch 25 is pressed, a credit equivalent to one medal is bet.

The SPIN/REPEAT/BET switch 26 is a switch for betting credits againwithout changing the number of credits bet by the above-described BETswitch 25 in the unit game executed last time, thereby performing theslot game.

The START switch 27 is a switch for starting the slot game on thedisplay 16 after the credits are bet. When the START switch 27 ispressed after the medals are inserted into the medal insertion slot 21or after the credits are bet by the BET switch 25, the slot game isstarted on the respective defined areas q1 a to q3 e of the display 16.

The CASHOUT switch 23 is a switch for paying out the inserted medals.The medals to be paid out are discharged from a medal payout port 28open at a lower portion of a front surface of the main door 13, and thedischarged medals are accumulated in a medal tray 18.

The MAXBET switch 24 is a switch for betting, by one operation, themaximum number (for example, equivalent to 30 medals) of creditsbettable in one unit game.

On the front surface of the lower portion of the main door 13, a footdisplay 34 is provided, and displays a variety of images regarding theunit game of the slot machine 10. As such images, for example, acharacter of the slot machine 10 and the like can be mentioned.

On both sides of the foot display 34, lamps 47 are provided, and emitlight based on a light-emitting pattern pre-set for the play of the slotmachine 10. The medal payout port 28 is provided below the foot display34.

On the front surface of the top box 12, an upper display 33 is provided.The upper display 33 includes a display panel, and relationships betweenpoints and the awards, which are assigned to the symbols, and the likeare displayed thereon.

Moreover, speakers 29 are provided in the top box 12. Below the upperdisplay 33, there are provided: a ticket printer 35; a card reader 36; adata display 37; and a keypad 38. The ticket printer 35 prints, on aticket, a bar code in which the respective data such as the number ofcredits, a date, and an identification number of the slot machine 10 areencoded, and outputs the ticket as a bar code-added ticket 39.

The player allows another slot machine to read the bar code-added ticket39, and thereby can perform the game on the slot machine concerned, andcan exchange the bar code-added ticket 39 with bills and the like at apredetermined spot (for example, a casher in a casino) of a game arcade.

The card reader 36 is capable of receiving a smart card, and reads datafrom the smart card inserted thereinto, and writes data into the smartcard. The smart card is a card carried by the player, in which data foridentifying the player, data regarding a history of the games performedby the player, and the like are stored.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of thecontroller 40 provided in the slot machine 10 according to the firstembodiment, and of the variety of instruments connected to thecontroller 40. The controller 40 of the slot machine 10, which is shownin FIG. 6, is a microcomputer, and includes: an interface circuit group102; an input/output bus 104; a CPU 106; a ROM 108; a RAM 110; acommunication interface circuit 111; a random number generator 112; anexternal storage device 113; a speaker driving circuit 122; a hopperdriving circuit 124; a display driving circuit 128; and a displaycontroller 140.

The interface circuit group 102 is connected to the input/output bus104, and the input/output bus 104 transfers a data signal or an addresssignal with the CPU 106.

The START switch 27 is connected to the interface circuit group 102. Astarting signal outputted from the START switch 27 is converted into apredetermined signal in the interface circuit group 102, and is thentransmitted to the CPU 106 through the input/output bus 104.

Moreover, to the interface circuit group 102, there are connected: theBET switch 25; the MAXBET switch 24; the SPIN/REPEAT/BET switch 26; andthe CASHOUT switch 23. The respective switching signals outputted fromthe respective switches 25, 24, 26 and 23 are supplied to the interfacecircuit group 102, are converted into predetermined signals in theinterface circuit group 102, and are then transmitted to the CPU 106through the input/output bus 104.

In addition, a medal sensor 43 is connected to the interface circuitgroup 102. The medal sensor 43 is a sensor for detecting the medalsinserted into the medal insertion slot 21, and is provided in a medalinsertion spot of the medal insertion slot 21. A detection signaloutputted from the medal sensor 43 is supplied to the interface circuitgroup 102, is converted into a predetermined signal by the interfacecircuit group 102, and is then transmitted to the CPU 106 through theinput/output bus 104.

To the input/output bus 104, there are connected: the ROM 108 in which asystem program is stored; and the RAM 110 for storing a variety of data.Moreover, to the input/output bus 104, there are connected: the randomnumber generator 112; the communication interface circuit 111; theexternal storage device 113; the display controller 140; the hopperdriving circuit 124; the speaker driving circuit 122; and the displaydriving circuit 128.

On an occasion that a starting operation for the unit game has beenreceived by the START switch 27, the CPU 106 reads out game executionprograms, and executes the slot game. The game execution programs areprograms for executing the unit game through the display controller 140on the display 16. Specifically, the game execution programs areprogrammed so as to execute the unit game. In the unit game, the awardthat is based on the number of the same symbols is generated when thesymbols are scrolled on the respective display areas q1 a to q3 e (referto FIG. 7), the symbols are then stopped (the arranged symbols arerearranged), and the predetermined number (for example, four or more) ofeach type of the symbols thus stopped are rearranged.

Moreover, the CPU 106 decides the symbols to be rearranged on thedefined areas q1 a to q3 e. For example, in the case where the pluralityof columns or rows are provided as in the defined areas q1 a to q3 eshown in FIG. 7, the CPU 106 decides the symbols, which are to berearranged, for each of the columns or for each of the rows (refer toFIGS. 8 and 9). In the case where the symbols to be rearranged aredecided for each of the columns, and symbol groups G1 to G5, each ofwhich is composed of three symbols rearranged for each column shown inFIG. 8, are selected, the 15 symbols shown in FIG. 3 are rearranged onthe defined areas q1 a to q3 e. Moreover, in the case where the symbolsto be rearranged are decided for each of the rows, and symbol groups Gato Gc, each of which is composed of five symbols rearranged for each rowshown in FIG. 9, are selected, the 15 symbols shown in FIG. 3 arerearranged on the defined areas q1 a to q3 e.

Moreover, after having decided the symbols to be rearranged on thedefined areas q1 a to q3 e, the CPU 106 decides the sequence (refer toFIG. 2) in which the symbols are rearranged on the individual definedareas q1 a to q3 e. Then, the CPU 106 creates, as an image displaycommand outputted to the display controller 140, signals of the symbolsto be rearranged on the defined areas q1 a to q3 e, and of the sequenceof rearranging the decided symbols thereon. Specifically, the CPU 106creates the signals of the image display command corresponding to astate of the unit game, a result of the unit game and the sequence ofrearranging the symbols, and outputs the signals of the image displaycommand to the display controller 140 through the input/output bus 104.

The communication interface circuit 111 is connected to a hall server orthe like, and transmits data on a history of plays executed on this slotmachine 10, and the like to the hall server. Moreover, the communicationinterface circuit 111 receives a variety of data transmitted from thehall server.

The random number generator 112 generates random numbers for decidingwhether or not to generate a winning combination in the slot gameexecuted on the display 16.

In the external storage device 113, a plurality of the sequence patterns(refer to FIG. 2) for such sequences in which the symbols are rearrangedon the defined areas q1 a to q3 e are stored in advance. Moreover, inthe external storage device 113, the symbol groups G1 to G5 (refer toFIG. 8) for each column of the symbols to be rearranged on the definedareas q1 a to q3 e and the symbol groups Ga to Gc (refer to FIG. 9) foreach row thereof are stored.

Incidentally, the plurality of sequence patterns for the sequences inwhich the symbols are rearranged on the defined areas q1 a to q3 e andthe symbol groups of the symbols rearranged on the defined areas q1 a toq3 e can be provided, for example, in a program of the ROM 108 insteadof being stored in the external storage device 113.

The display driving circuit 128 performs a control to display the numberof payouts on the number-of-payouts defined area 48 set on the lowerleft area of the display 16.

The speaker driving circuit 122 outputs audio data to the speakers 29.Specifically, the CPU 106 reads out the audio data stored in the ROM108, and transmits the audio data to the speaker driving circuit 122through the input/output bus 104. In such a way, a predetermined effectsound is emitted from the speakers 29.

The hopper driving circuit 124 outputs a payout signal to the hopper 44when cashout occurs. Specifically, upon receiving a cashout signal fromthe CASHOUT switch 23, the CPU 106 outputs a drive signal to the hopperdriving circuit 124 through the input/output bus 104. In such a way, thehopper 44 pays out the medals of the number equivalent to the remainingnumber of credits at that point of time, which is stored in apredetermined memory area of the RAM 110.

The display controller 140 performs a display control to execute theslot game on the display 16. Specifically, the CPU 106 creates signalsof an image display command corresponding to a state of the slot gameand a result of the slot game, and outputs the signals of the imagedisplay command to the display controller 140 through the input/outputbus 104.

Upon receiving the signals of the image display command, which areoutputted from the CPU 106, the display controller 140 createssuperimposedly displayed two frame memories, which are to be displayedon the display 16, based on this image display command, and stores theframe memories in the RAM 110. A front frame memory as one of the twoframe memories is one that displays an image of a state where therespective defined areas q1 a to q3 e are scrolling, and a rear framememory as the other one of the two frame memories is one that displaysimages of the symbols rearranged on the defined areas q1 a to q3 e,which are decided by the CPU 106. Moreover, upon receiving the signalsof the image display command, which are outputted from the CPU 106, thedisplay controller 140 creates a drive signal for driving the display 16based on this image display command, and outputs the drive signal thuscreated to the display 16. Specifically, the respective defined areas q1a to q3 e of the front frame memory are switched to transparent displayone by one, whereby the symbols displayed on the rear frame memory areindividually controlled to be visually recognizable on the display 16.In such a way, predetermined images are displayed on the display 16.

Next, with reference to the award setting table shown in FIG. 4, adescription will be made of relationships between the symbols rearrangedon the respective defined areas q1 a to q3 e of the display 16 and theawards each of which is to be given to the player based on the number ofthe same symbols.

On each of the defined areas q1 a to q3 e of the display 16, any oftotally five types of symbols, which are “Sun shape”, “Heart shape”,“Doughnut shape”, “Circle shape”, and “Cross shape”, is rearranged.Moreover, relationships between the number of points and the awards,which are displayed accompanied with the respective symbols, are set asshown in FIG. 4.

For example, in the case where 15 symbols “Sun shape” are displayed, anaward equivalent to 5000 pieces is generated, and the number of piecesfor the award to be given to the player is gradually reduced as thenumber of rearranged pieces is reduced. Then, in the case where thenumber of the symbols “Sun shape” is less than four, the award is notgenerated. Moreover, in the case where 15 symbols “Cross shape” aredisplayed, an award equivalent to 1000 pieces is generated, and thenumber of pieces for the award to be given to the player is graduallyreduced as the number of rearranged pieces is reduced. Then, in the casewhere the number of the symbols “Cross shape” is less than four, theaward is not generated.

In the first embodiment, probabilities that the symbols “Sun shape”,“Heart shape”, “Doughnut shape”, “Circle shape”, and “Cross shape” arerearranged on the respective defined areas q1 a to q3 e are set so as tobe increased in this sequence. Specifically, the probability that thesymbol “Cross shape” is rearranged is the highest, and the probabilitythat the symbol “Sun shape” is rearranged is the lowest. Hence, thecontroller 40 shown in FIG. 6 controls an effect of the images displayedon the display 16 so that, as the symbols are those generating a largeraward, the probability that the symbols concerned are rearranged on therespective defined areas q1 a to q3 e can be decreased.

Next, a description will be made of operations of the slot machine 10according to the first embodiment with reference to flowcharts shown inFIG. 10, FIG. 11, and FIG. 12. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing aprocedure of execution processing of the slot game executed on the slotmachine 10 according to the first embodiment.

First, the CPU 106 receives a bet of the medals or the credits by theplayer (Step S11). Specifically, in the case where the player pressesthe BET switch 25, and bets a desired number of the credits, or in thecase where the player inserts a desired number of the medals from themedal insertion slot 21, such a number is inputted as the number ofbets.

In the case where the BET switch 25 has been pressed to place the bet,the CPU 106 reduces the current credits by the bet credits (Step S12).For example, in the case where a bet for the credits “10” is placed whenthe credits are “30”, the credits are reduced to be “20”.

The CPU 106 determines whether or not the START switch 27 has beenswitched on (Step S13), and in the case where the START switch 27 hasbeen switched on (YES in Step S13), performs stopped symbol decisionprocessing (Step S14). In this processing, the symbols to be rearrangedon the defined areas q1 a to q3 e are decided by selecting the symbolgroups (refer to FIGS. 8 and 9) for each column or row based on therandom numbers obtained from the random number generator 112. At thistime, such symbol decision processing decides the symbols, which are tobe rearranged, for each column or for each row, and accordingly, candecide all the symbols to be rearranged individually on the definedareas q1 a to q3 e by the number of times, which is smaller than thenumber of defined areas q1 a to q3 e. Specifically, the random numbergenerator 112 just needs to generate the random numbers the number oftimes, which is the same as the number of columns or rows.

After the processing (Step S14) for deciding such rearrangementpositions of the symbols for the defined areas q1 a to q3 e, the CPU 106selects the sequence pattern (refer to FIG. 2) stored in the externalstorage device 113, and decides the sequence of rearranging the symbolsof the defined areas q1 a to q3 e (Step S15). The CPU 106 executes imageeffect control processing (Step S16). Details of the image effectcontrol processing will be described later.

Subsequently, the CPU 106 performs payout processing that is based onthe symbols displayed on the respective defined areas q1 a to q3 e andon the sum of the points to be described later (Step S17). Details ofthe payout processing will be described later.

Next, a description will be made of the image effect control processingshown in Step S16 of FIG. 11 with reference to FIG. 12.

First, the CPU 106 outputs an instruction signal to start scroll displayof the symbols to the display controller 140. Upon receiving thisinstruction signal, the display controller 140 creates the front framememory that displays the image of the state where the respective definedareas q1 a to q3 e are scrolling. Then, the display controller 140starts the scroll display of the symbols on the respective defined areasq1 a to q3 e of the display 16 (Step S21).

The CPU 106 counts an elapsed time since the scrolling of the symbols isstarted (Step S82). In the case where a predetermined time (for example,five seconds) has elapsed (YES is Step S22), the CPU 106 stops thesymbols on the respective defined areas q1 a to q3 e based on thestopped symbols decided in Step S14 of FIG. 10 and on the sequence ofrearranging the symbols, which is decided in Step S15 of FIG. 10 (StepS23). For example, in the case where the sequence of rearranging thesymbols is decided by the CPU 106 to the sequence of the numericcharacters, which is shown in FIG. 2, the front frame memory for thescroll display is sequentially switched to the transparent display foreach of the respective defined areas q1 a to q3 e, whereby the rearframe memory that displays the images of the symbols rearranged on thedefined areas q1 a to q3 e, which are created by the display controller140, becomes visually recognizable. Specifically, the player canvisually recognize that, as shown in FIG. 1, the respective definedareas q1 a to q3 e turn from the scrolling state to the state where thesymbols are rearranged in the sequence of the numeric characters, whichis shown in FIG. 2. The respective defined areas q1 a to q3 e are turnedfrom the scrolling state to the state where the symbols are rearrangedin the sequence of the numeric characters, which is shown in FIG. 2,whereby a state is finally brought as shown in FIG. 3, where the symbolsare rearranged individually on the respective defined areas q1 a to q3e. Thereafter, the CPU 106 ends this processing.

Next, a description will be made of the payout processing shown in StepS17 of FIG. 11 with reference to FIG. 13.

First, the CPU 106 recognizes the symbols stopped by the processing ofStep S23 of FIG. 11, and calculates the number of the same symbols (StepS31).

Thereafter, the CPU 106 determines whether or not the symbols exist, inwhich the number of the same symbols becomes the predetermined number ormore (Step S32).

With reference to the award setting table shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 106decides the awards for the symbols in which the number of the rearrangedsymbols becomes the predetermined number or more (Step S33).Subsequently, the CPU 106 calculates the sum of the awards (Step S34).

Thereafter, the CPU 106 pays out the credits or the medals, which areequivalent to the added-up awards (Step S35) In such a way, the payoutprocessing is performed.

As described above, in the slot machine according to the firstembodiment of the present invention, the symbols to be rearranged on therespective 15 defined areas are not sorted individually, but such alottery of the symbols is executed for each of the defined areas q1 a toq3 e divided into the plurality of groups. The lottery of the symbols isexecuted for each of the defined areas q1 a to q3 e divided into theplurality of groups, whereby the rearrangement of the symbols is decidedby the number of times, which is smaller than the number of definedareas q1 a to q3 e, and accordingly, cumbersomeness of the symboldecision processing can be resolved.

Moreover, in the slot machine according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention, the sequence of rearranging the symbols on therespective defined areas q1 a to q3 e becomes random for each game.Accordingly, the effect as if 15 reels were sorted individually and thesymbols were decided randomly can be made, and the appeal that the gameis free from the intentional action can be made to the player.

Furthermore, depending on countries or regions, owing to a legalregulation for a gaming machine, there is a case where it is obliged todecide stopped positions for each reel and to execute the rearrangementprocessing of the symbols on the respective defined areas q1 a to q3 e;however, the slot machine according to this embodiment does not violatethe legal regulation concerned.

Modification Example of First Embodiment

Next, a description will be made of a modification example of the slotmachine 10 according to the above-described first embodiment. The slotmachine 10 according to the modification example is different from theslot machine 10 according to the above-described first embodiment inthat the symbols to be rearranged on the defined areas q1 a to q3 edivided into the plurality of groups are decided not for each column orrow but for each group formed by randomly selecting the defined areas q1a to q3 e. For example, the slot machine 10 according to themodification example can set groups, each of which is composed byrandomly selecting three areas from the defined areas q1 a to q3 e,individually to the defined area groups. In the case of the defined areagroups, each of which is composed of three of the defined areas q1 a toq3 e, symbol groups, each of which is composed of three symbols, areselected. Then, the symbols are rearranged in accordance with thesequence of rearranging the symbols, which is decided by the CPU 106,whereby the symbols are rearranged individually on the respectivedefined areas q1 a to q3 e as shown in FIG. 3.

In such a way, in the slot machine 10 according to the modificationexample of the first embodiment of the present invention, the definedareas q1 a to q3 e randomly selected are set to the defined area groups,and the lottery for the symbol groups to be rearranged on the definedarea groups is performed. Accordingly, it becomes possible to increasevariations of the lottery.

Second Embodiment

In the above-described first embodiment, it is assumed that the display16 is a liquid crystal panel, and that the rearrangement of the symbolson the respective defined areas q1 a to q3 e is performed by using theliquid crystal panel. However, with regard to the rearrangement of thesymbols on the respective defined areas q1 a to q3 e of the display 16,an apparatus including a liquid crystal panel capable of the transparentdisplay can be provided, and the rearrangement of the symbols on therespective defined areas q1 a to q3 e can also be performed by arotation reel device disposed behind the liquid crystal panel concerned.

A description will be made below of a slot machine according to a secondembodiment of the present invention, which performs the rearrangement ofthe symbols by the rotation reel device disposed behind the liquidcrystal panel of the display 16, and of a playing method of the slotmachine. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the slot machine according tothe second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a blockdiagram showing a control circuit of the slot machine according to thesecond embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B are aperspective view and side view of rotation reels of the slot machineaccording to the second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 13, the slot machine 10 according to the secondembodiment of the present invention is different from the slot machine10 of the first embodiment in that windows 16 a to 16 e and the rotationreel device 53 (refer to FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B) including rotation reels53 a to 53 e arranged behind the windows 16 a to 16 e are providedinstead of the display 16 of the slot machine 10 of the firstembodiment. Others are substantially the same as those of the slotmachine 10 according to the first embodiment, and accordingly, aduplicate description will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 14, the slot machine 10 of the second embodimentfurther includes a motor driving circuit 51 and a reel positiondetection circuit 52 in the machine controller 40 of the slot machine 10of the first embodiment. Note that, following the fact that the slotmachine 10 of the second embodiment includes the rotation reel device53, the slot machine 10 of the second embodiment further includes:respective drive motors 56 a to 56 e of the rotation reel device 53,which are driven by the motor driving circuit 51; and sensors 54 a to 54e for detecting rotations, stops and stopped positions of the respectiverotation reels 53 a to 53 e of the rotation reel device 53 by the reelposition detection circuit 52. As shown in FIG. 14, the motor drivingcircuit 51 and the reel position detection circuit 52 are connected tothe input/output but 104 in a similar way to the random number generator112, the communication interface circuit 111, the external storagedevice 113, the display controllers 140 and 141, the hopper drivingcircuit 124, the speaker driving circuit 122, the display drivingcircuit 128 and the like.

Note that, in the slot machine 10 of the second embodiment, when thesymbols are rearranged on the respective defined areas q1 a to q3 e, adisplay control to perform the transparent display for each spot of thewindows 16 a to 16 e, which corresponds to each of the defined areas q1a to q3 e, can be performed. Specifically, in the case where each spotof the windows 16 a to 16 e, which corresponds to each of the definedareas q1 a to q3 e, is included in the sequence of rearranging thesymbols, the CPU 106 creates a signal of an image display command toallow the corresponding spot to perform the transparent display, andoutputs the signal of the image display command to the displaycontroller 140. Upon receiving the signal of the image display command,which is outputted from the CPU 106, the display controller 140 createsa drive signal for driving the display 16 based on this image displaycommand, and outputs the drive signal thus created to the display 16. Insuch a way, on the display 16, the spots corresponding to the respectivedefined areas q1 a to q3 e, which are included in the sequence ofrearranging the symbols, are transparently displayed.

Hence, the CPU 106 outputs an image display command for displaying theimage of the slot game and an effect corresponding to a result thereofon the display 16 to the display controller 140 at timing correspondingto a progress of the slot game. In such a way, on the display 16, theeffect for the slot game and the effect corresponding to the game resultare made.

The CPU 106 decides the stopped positions for each of the rotation reels53 a to 53 e, and thereby decides the symbols to be rearranged on thedefined areas q1 a to q3 e. Specifically, the CPU 106 decides thesymbols to be rearranged on the defined areas q1 a to q3 e by selectingthe stopped positions of the rotation reels 53 a to 53 e based on therandom numbers obtained from the random number generator 112.Specifically, the random number generator 112 generates the randomnumbers of which number is the same as the number of rotation reels 53 ato 53 e.

Also by the slot machine 10 of the second embodiment, which isconfigured as described above, and by the playing method thereof,similar effects to those of the slot machine 10 of the first embodimentand the playing method thereof can be obtained.

The description has been made above of the embodiments of the presentinvention; however, the embodiments merely illustrate specific examples,and do not particularly limit the present invention, and with regard tospecific configurations of the respective means and the like, designthereof is appropriately changeable. Moreover, the effects described inthe embodiments of the present invention merely list the most suitableeffects generated from the present invention, and the effects by thepresent invention are not limited to those described in the embodimentsof the present invention.

Moreover, in the above-described detailed description, the descriptionhas been made mainly of characteristic portions so that the presentinvention can be understood more easily. The present invention is notlimited to the embodiments described in the above-described detaileddescription, and can also be applied to other embodiments, andapplication ranges thereof are broad. Moreover, the terms and thephraseology, which are used in this specification, are used foraccurately explaining the present invention, and are not used forlimiting the interpretation of the present invention. Moreover, it isconsidered easy for those skilled in the art to figure out otherconfigurations, systems, methods and the like, which are incorporated inthe concept of the present invention described in this specification,from the concept concerned of the present invention. Hence, thedescription of the scope of claims must be regarded as one thatincorporates equilibrium configurations of those of the scope of thetechnical concept of the present invention without departing therefrom.Moreover, it is an object of the abstract to assist patent offices,general public institutions, engineers who belong to this technicalfield and are not conversant in patents, law terms, or technical terms,and the like so that they can rapidly determine the technical contentsand essence of this application by a simple investigation. Hence, theabstract is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to beevaluated by the description of the scope of claims. Moreover, in orderto sufficiently understand the object of the present invention and theeffects intrinsic to the present invention, it is desired that thepresent invention be interpreted in full consideration foralready-disclosed documents, and the like.

The above-described detailed description incorporates processingexecuted by a computer. The descriptions and the expressions in theabove are described for the purpose of being understood most efficientlyby those skilled in the art. In this specification, the respective stepsfor use in deriving one result should be understood as processing freefrom self-contradiction. Moreover, in the respective steps, electric ormagnetic signal transmission/reception, recording, and the like areperformed. In the processing in each step, such a signal is expressed bya bit, a value, a symbol, a letter, a term, a number, or the like;however, it is necessary to keep it in mind that these are merely usedfor explanation convenience. Moreover, the processing in each step issometimes described in expression common to a human action; however, theprocessing explained in this specification is basically executed by avariety of devices. Moreover, other configurations required forperforming the respective steps become self-evident from the abovedescriptions.

1. A slot machine comprising: a display that displays a unit game inwhich symbols arranged on a plurality of defined areas are rearranged;and a controller that executes: (A) processing for deciding all thesymbols to be rearranged individually on the defined areas by symboldecision processing of which number of times is smaller than a number ofthe defined areas; (B) processing for deciding a sequence of rearrangingthe symbols on the individual defined areas; and (C) processing forrearranging the symbols on the individual defined areas in accordancewith the sequence of rearranging the symbols.
 2. The slot machineaccording to claim 1, wherein, in a case where the rearrangement of thesymbols on the respective defined areas is performed by using aplurality of rotation reels, the symbol decision processing is performedthe same number of times as a number of the rotation reels.
 3. The slotmachine according to claim 1, wherein, in a case where the defined areashave a plurality of columns, the symbol decision processing is performedthe same number of times as a number of the columns of the definedareas.
 4. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein, in a casewhere the defined areas have a plurality of rows, the symbol decisionprocessing is performed the same number of times as a number of the rowsof the defined areas.
 5. The slot machine according to claim 1, whereinthe symbol decision processing is performed the same number of times asa number of defined area groups composed by randomly selecting thedefined areas.
 6. A slot machine, comprising: a display that displays aunit game in which symbols arranged on a plurality of defined areas arerearranged; a memory that stores sequence patterns for a sequence ofrearranging the symbols on the defined areas; and a controller thatexecutes: (A) processing for deciding all the symbols to be rearrangedindividually on the defined areas by symbol decision processing of whichnumber of times is smaller than a number of the defined areas; (B)processing for deciding a sequence of rearranging the symbols on theindividual defined areas by selecting one from the sequence patterns;and (C) processing for rearranging the symbols on the individual definedareas in accordance with the sequence pattern.
 7. The slot machineaccording to claim 6, wherein, in a case where the rearrangement of thesymbols on the respective defined areas is performed by using aplurality of rotation reels, the symbol decision processing is performedthe same number of times as a number of the rotation reels.
 8. The slotmachine according to claim 6, wherein, in a case where the defined areashave a plurality of columns, the symbol decision processing is performedthe same number of times as a number of the columns of the definedareas.
 9. The slot machine according to claim 6, wherein, in a casewhere the defined areas have a plurality of rows, the symbol decisionprocessing is performed the same number of times as a number of the rowsof the defined areas.
 10. The slot machine according to claim 6, whereinthe symbol decision processing is performed the same number of times asa number of defined area groups composed by randomly selecting thedefined areas.
 11. A control method of a slot machine, comprising: (A)deciding all symbols to be rearranged individually on defined areas bysymbol decision processing of which number of times is smaller than anumber of the defined areas; (B) deciding a sequence of rearranging thesymbols on the individual defined areas; and (C) rearranging the symbolson the individual defined areas in accordance with the sequence ofrearranging the symbols.
 12. The control method of a slot machineaccording to claim 11, wherein, in a case where the rearrangement of thesymbols on the respective defined areas is performed by using aplurality of rotation reels, the symbol decision processing is performedthe same number of times as a number of the rotation reels.
 13. Thecontrol method of a slot machine according to claim 11, wherein, in acase where the defined areas have a plurality of columns, the symboldecision processing is performed the same number of times as a number ofthe columns of the defined areas.
 14. The control method of a slotmachine according to claim 11, wherein, in a case where the definedareas have a plurality of rows, the symbol decision processing isperformed the same number of times as a number of the rows of thedefined areas.
 15. The control method of a slot machine according toclaim 11, wherein the symbol decision processing is performed the samenumber of times as a number of defined area groups composed by randomlyselecting the defined areas.
 16. A control method of a slot machine,comprising: (A) deciding all symbols to be rearranged individually ondefined areas by symbol decision processing of which number of times issmaller than a number of the defined areas; (B) deciding a sequence ofrearranging the symbols on the individual defined areas by selecting onefrom sequence patterns for the sequence of rearranging the symbols onthe defined areas, the sequence patterns being stored in a memory; and(C) rearranging the symbols on the individual defined areas inaccordance with the sequence pattern.
 17. The control method of a slotmachine according to claim 16, wherein, in a case where therearrangement of the symbols on the respective defined areas isperformed by using a plurality of rotation reels, the symbol decisionprocessing is performed the same number of times as a number of therotation reels.
 18. The control method of a slot machine according toclaim 16, wherein, in a case where the defined areas have a plurality ofcolumns, the symbol decision processing is performed the same number oftimes as a number of the columns of the defined areas.
 19. The controlmethod of a slot machine according to claim 16, wherein, in a case wherethe defined areas have a plurality of rows, the symbol decisionprocessing is performed the same number of times as a number of the rowsof the defined areas.
 20. The control method of a slot machine accordingto claim 16, wherein the symbol decision processing is performed thesame number of times as a number of defined area groups composed byrandomly selecting the defined areas.